Monday Health & Wellness: Is It Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is something that is becoming extremely pervasive in this country.  A lot of people are suffering from it because the adrenals are very sensitive, and are easily taxed by stress, poor nutrition, and lots of other circumstances that are pervasive in our country.

Unfortunately, a lot of health problems are pervasive in our country.  It’s not easy to tell if what you’re suffering is really adrenal fatigue, or if it’s something else.  How can you be sure?  What should you do if you’re not sure?

First, read the adrenal fatigue symptoms.  To briefly summarize, you’re looking for:

• Constant fatigue/tiredness
• Insomnia
• Cravings for salty/sweet foods (especially salt)
• Irritability, mood swings
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Non-refreshing sleep

There are a lot more, which you can read at the link above.  But the thing is, many of these things can be symptoms of other conditions as well.  It’s not as simple as reading these symptoms and saying, “I have adrenal fatigue!”  It may be something else.  If you do not have all the symptoms on this list, then you may really be looking at something else.  Cravings for salt and insomnia are really key symptoms of adrenal fatigue.

So then, how do you know if it is likely adrenal fatigue?

For women who have only mild adrenal fatigue, who are feeling that they are overwhelmed, craving salt, suffering from insomnia and fatigue, and this has only gone on for a few weeks or months, it’s very likely that you can determine on your own that adrenal fatigue is what you are suffering from.  This, fortunately, can be easy to reverse with at-home treatment (see below).

If, however, your symptoms are more complicated and longer lasting, it may be difficult to tell.  In this case, adrenal fatigue may be a part of what you are suffering from.  It’s likely because the adrenals are often the first to go and the last to be fixed when something is wrong with your body. 

However, there may be more to it than that.  A visit to your doctor (preferably a naturopathic doctor who can treat you using diet and other natural supports; most doctors won’t recognize or acknowledge adrenal fatigue anyway until your adrenals are basically not functioning) can determine what is happening.  A quick check of your hormone levels can show where they are out of balance and give you a good starting place.

Hormone Levels?

A lot of women, in conjunction with adrenal fatigue, have other imbalanced hormone levels.  This is because the adrenals control the balance of all the hormones in your body, directly or indirectly.  Since the most common symptoms of adrenal fatigue are just so common in our country, many women don’t even recognize that something is wrong.  Doctors do not recognize mild adrenal fatigue, either.  This means that adrenal fatigue can go on unchecked for months or even years, thus throwing off many other body symptoms.

Over time, some women even start to suffer from infertility, PCOS, painful periods, and other signs of hormonal imbalance.  These may or may not be related to the adrenals — but likely that is a part of the story.  Our hormonal systems are delicately balanced and it’s all interrelated.  We can’t, as many doctors think, lift one area out and try to fix it without addressing the whole body.  That’s why it’s important to work to balance your hormones by getting your health and diet on track.

Cortisol is one of the most important hormones to balance because it wreaks the most havoc on adrenal glands, and is responsible for our stress.  In fact, it’s known as the “stress hormone.”  It’s a good thing when we’re in danger, but it’s not a good thing all the time.  When our adrenal glands are constantly producing cortisol, they become worn out.  That’s how we get in trouble.  It’s how our hormones get out of balance.  Long-term drain on the adrenals leads to all of the above hormonal issues and more.  Getting things straightened out is what we need to do.

Some women may even suffer from thyroid issues or other serious conditions after having imbalanced hormones for quite awhile.  It may be difficult to tell if you are suffering from adrenal fatigue or thyroid problems, especially if your symptoms have been going on for months or years.  We’ll talk more about thyroid issues in the future, but you can read now an interview I did on hypothyroidism and the follow up to it.

Consulting with a trained naturopath who is familiar with hormonal issues may help you know where to start: what is the most immediate problem, where to begin healing.  This is the best idea if you are severely ill so that you have a personalized plan that will help you heal. 

How to Start Healing

The diet for adrenal fatigue is honestly a good idea for anyone.  We should all be eating a healthy diet full of excellent saturated fats, healthy meats, fruits and vegetables, and properly prepared grains (but not too many).  We’ll be talking more about a healthy diet in the upcoming weeks.

In addition to an excellent diet, you can take the following steps:

• Get extra rest — Sleep is crucial to recovering from just about anything.  When you are constantly fatigued, pay attention to your body and get the rest that you need!  You don’t need to move at 100 mph all the time!  The chores and extra commitments will wait until another day; your health is more important.
• Go to bed early — If you are not in bed by 10:30, you risk getting a second wind and not being able to fall asleep once you do go to bed.  You also won’t get enough rest!  The body begins its detox around 11 PM, also, so to take full advantage, you need to be asleep by then.  Aim to start winding down by 9:30 or 10 and be in bed by 10:30.
• Work on relaxation — To help yourself sleep at night, try to relax throughout the day.  When your kids take naps, sit down and rest.  Don’t expect too much from yourself.  Don’t schedule too many events.  Purposefully build in time where you don’t have to do anything, even if it’s only 15 minutes here and there.  Have a cup of tea, read a book, just relax your mind and body.
• Add extra salt — Adrenals need high-quality sea salt to function, which is why you’re craving salt.  Get rid of the processed salt (if you still use it), and consume only high-quality, real sea salt.  Consume as much as you need, salting your food to taste.
• Drink rehydration drinks instead of water — Part of the reason you’re thirsty is because your electrolyte balance is off, so you really need more sodium or potassium, not more fluid.  Try a special rehydration drink instead of plain water and you’ll find that your thirst is better quenched and you feel stronger.
• Reduce your stress — This is huge, since one of the main reasons for adrenal fatigue is too much stress (and therefore too much cortisol).  By focusing on reducing your stress — perhaps by reducing your commitments, taking some time for yourself, giving yourself permission not to clean all the time, etc. — you will aid yourself in healing.  You do not have to be super mom.  No one can do it all, and no one should try.

There are more hints and ideas at Keeper of the Home. 

Have you struggled with adrenal fatigue?  Did you have other conditions as well?  How did (are) you heal?